Woven Doublecloth Coverlet, "Frenchman's Fancy"

Date1836

Artist/Maker Bartlett French (1798-after 1859)

OriginAmerica, New York, Oneida County, Waterville

MediumBlue wool and white cotton

Dimensions91 1/8" x 77 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1995.609.3

DescriptionThis is a doublecloth woven blue wool and white cotton coverlet with a center seam. The coverlet is laid out on a diagonal grid. The primary motif, four lilies surrounded by a wreath of flowers and small fill-in motifs of eight-pointed stars, has at its center an elongated star formed by eight leaves. The diamond-shaped secondary motif has an eight-pedaled rosette in the center. There is no top border. The side and bottom borders consist of pairs of standing facing lions separated by columns and trees. The two corner blocks at the bottom of the coverlet read: "SUSAN/ HINKLY./1836./B./ FRENCH/WEAVER/WATER/VILLE." The coverlet is not fringed.
Label TextThis coverlet is another example of a lion coverlet not woven by the well-known Henry Tyler. Bartlett French repeated the animal in several of his borders sometimes superimposing the word "lion" over it, while Harry Tyler (1801-ca. 1858) employed a different version as his trademark corner block. The two men may have been related by marriage.